Jeers fuel Cheng in Final Four win over UST

La Salle’s Desiree Cheng. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

As Desiree Cheng started to heat up en route to 11 points while helping De La Salle University brush off University of Santo Tomas, 25-14, 25-20, 24-26, 25-13, in the Final Four, jeers started to rain down on her.

Cheng, however, didn’t mind.

“Everybody knows that boos are part of the game, so that’s fine with me and besides I’m used to it,” said Cheng Saturday as the Lady Spikers advanced to its ninth straight UAAP women’s volleyball finals.

“I think I’m challenged more than ever whenever opposing fans boo me, and it just pumps me up even more.”

As Kim Kianna Dy and Mary Joy Baron played their part as La Salle’s opposite and middle hitters, Cheng was slowly punishing UST as the defending champions outside hitter.

Cheng wasn’t only hurting the Golden Tigresses from the left flank, she also scored three service aces further driving the point home as a potent scorer for La Salle.

And as the boos got louder, Cheng reciprocated it by showcasing the swagger usually reserved for the Lady Spikers.

“I don’t think that was the swag, but I’ll admit I got caught up in the moment because when you score a point that’s a confidence-booster for you,” said Cheng.